Black Adam (2022)

Black Adam features solid, concise story telling that doesn't veer off path, sticks to its strengths, and delivers a rock solid time at the movies. Despite what you've heard it's not dumb (although it makes a few wise cracks). In fact it wrestles with issues like western imperialism and the morality of so-called "superheroics", perhaps not that deeply, but it does take those things on. That coupled with loving comic book tributes and easter eggs, and the already famous final moments, Black Adam is a movie that made the audience that I saw it with cheer.

The comic book character of Black Adam began as a villain and evolved into an anti-hero and leading man on his own account. Johnson began his acting career in the role of a villain (The Scorpion King) who becomes his own hero and eventually Johnsoon became one of the biggest leading men of the silver scree so his casting as this character seems perfect. Black Adam the film knows what it is and sticks closely to its story of rage and redemption. It is oversimplifying things to say it deals with the question of whether super-heroes kill (although the film does joke about that long running point of debate) as it's more about how we choose to confront evil and resolve conflict. 

The role of the western based Justice Society coming into Khandaq (but never having come to help before there was a threat that could affect them) raises interesting colonialist questions. I'm not saying the film resolves these questions or even explores them that deeply. But it doesn't ignore them and it has something to say on it. 

But the strength of Black Adam, besides the charisma of its star, is how economically it tells its story. It doesn't have much padding or fluff moments, instead focusing very tightly on the story it wants to tell and the action that provides. Plus one gets the clear message that the makers of this film love the comics that inspired it, filling it with easter eggs that comic fans will recognize, as well as fans of the previous DCEU films as the cameos are a sweet treat for fans while feeling integral to the story and not just tacked on. As a life long fan of the character Dr. Fate, seeing this beautifully rendered big screen version of him was a highlight for me. And then there is that now infamous end moments which, as I said, elicited cheers from the crowd I saw it with. 

Black Adam is a fun movie that delivers on what it is doing and does so without talking down to its audience. 

Black Adam

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Shahi, Bodhi Sabongui, Quintessa Swindell, Noah Centineo, Marwan Kenzari, Mohammed Amer, Jalon Christian, Djimon Hounsou, Viola Davis, Jennifer Holland, Henry Winkler, Henry Cavill